My first mechanical table clock

It’s circa 2010 and it’s a world when a table clock or wall clock is more of a decoration than a device used for knowing time. These days its cell phones, laptops, PDAs, Tablets, which serve additionally as a clock.

Today I was trying to find a key, when I came across my first mechanical table clock. I bought in USSR in 1991 when I went there to study Computer Science. So this table clock is 19 yrs old. I used it for 2-3 yrs till 1993-1994 after which digital clocks took over, and this modest clock was discarded in a cupboard as an antique.

I hoarded many things in my 6 yrs in USSR. And when I was coming back to India for good I had to decide on very few things which I can get back to India. And I kept this table clock as it reminded me of my old college days, and the alarm which woke me every day. And yes this clock had stopped functioning till then. But I still got it back.

I came to Bangalore and 1997. I lived in many rented houses till I bought my first house in 2002 and then my second apartment in 2007. And in all these house moves I somehow always kept this table clock. Looks like I am really attached to it.

And today on 20 Nov 2010, 19 yrs after buying this table clock, I took it out from the confines. I knew it was not working for more than 16-17 yrs.

Suddenly I got an idea. I know it’s a mechanical device and I know Russians are very good at making mechanical devices. I was sure it would have not rusted and the problem could have been simple.

I winded the table clock and shook it, but it did not tick. I opened the two screws, removed the metal cover and sprayed it with WD-40. It’s a liquid lubricant for stopping squeaks, driving out moisture etc, for mechanical and even electronic devices. I had a feeling that I am doing the right thing :-). I sprayed a lot of it in the mechanical parts of the table clock. And then shook it well.

And Eureka ! It started ticking. I could not believe my eyes at the oscillating parts of the table clock, and my ears at the distinct ticking sound. I knew this sound so well. No digital clocks make this sound. And this mechanical tick, like a beating heart, made me feel as if a dead loved one is back to life again. It was all Euphoria ! And while I am writing this blog it’s still ticking… (See its photo above which I clicked now.)

Mahtab Syed

Sat, Nov 20 2010

On Emotional Intelligence

It has been a realization that just IQ is not enough for success in life...

I was trying to find the right words to express my inner thoughts, and I knew it’s not easy, as the concept is complex.

Recently I started reading the book "Working with Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman. Luckily the book I read before this was "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell.

Now the thoughts are crystallizing...

As both Daniel Goleman and Malcolm Gladwell put, success in work and life is not directly proportional to IQ. It is true that a basic IQ (above a threshold level, depending upon the area of work) is required as entry criteria. Beyond this, the IQ level becomes relatively unimportant as criteria of success.

I have been using the terms soft-skills and maturity.

Soft-skills, as I learnt them, generally refers to

1. Communication skills (oral, verbal and non-verbal),
2. Leadership skills (using proper Situational Leadership technique (Directing, Coaching, Consulting/Supporting, Delegating)
3. Networking skills (how do you go along and connect with people)
4. Negotiation skills (how to influence decisions in your favor)
5. Planning and Time Management skills (Working on more of “Not Urgent but Important activities”)

And Maturity is displayed when your actions and reactions are not spurt of emotions, but are balanced with the wisdom learnt over life (of situations and the good decisions taken). This is a not a clear definition and people don’t like to be told that they are not mature yet. This is taken rather personally by people.

So while Soft-skills is not completely defined, Maturity is not the right term to be used. I am thankful to Daniel Goleman for the new and more elaborate term “Emotional Intelligence”.

So what is Emotional Intelligence ? Its summarized here.

Refer : I found a very good video on Daniel Goleman's website http://danielgoleman.info